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Chapter three

"So... you're fucking each other?" Kiba's voice was rough, his words crude as he watched his friend with an expression of open disbelief.

Shikamaru meanwhile wriggled a little in his seat and avoided Kiba's eyes. He glanced to the other side of the room, where Neji was pouring some drinks while talking with Sakura. She was another one of their classmates who had attended the party that had thrown in honour of finals being over.

"I... wouldn't call it that, exactly." He mumbled softly and turned back to nervously look up at Kiba.

So far, Neji and he hadn't told anyone in Konoha about their relationship yet. He'd told Chouji and Ino, of course, but they didn't even know Neji. But his two best friends were visiting him soon. That, in combination with the fact that they'd been together for well over two months already had made them decide to tell their friends.

While Shikamaru had agreed with Neji that it was indeed about time their friends knew, he still was unable to sit still and stop worrying. Being gay was frowned upon by some although that was the least of his worries. He might be a bit frightened of Kiba's reaction but he was certain the other wouldn't mind at all. Because Kiba never made rude comments about Naruto being so obviously Naruto head-over-heels with Sasuke.

No, the reaction he feared was his own. Because what if Kiba teased him and didn't notice he was getting uncomfortable? What if the other got upset with him for keeping his mouth shut? What if he himself got so nervous waiting for the other's reaction that he'd switch?

It were the usual worries that had taken hold of his mind. But the fact that those thoughts were swirling around in his mind was a bad thing to begin with. It was the root of his nerves, that brain of his. And sometimes he was ready to damn it to hell. Over-analyzing was bad enough when you were a normal person but when it came to having another personality ready to kick ass when needed, it could be very dangerous.

So, rather than allow his nerves free reign over his body, Shikamaru took a deep breath and glanced at his boyfriend again for a few seconds. Seeing Neji standing next to Sakura, chatting quite relaxed with the pink-haired girl, made him feel a bit more at ease and he smiled slightly.

"Oh, I see." Kiba leaned his head to the side when he saw the way Shikamaru watched Neji and he grinned. "You're making him work for it?"

Shikamaru blinked rapidly a few times at Kiba's words and he actually sputtered a little when he turned to watch the now widely grinning boy. Even though he gave people the idea he truly didn't care about anything, he wasn't all that comfortable with discussing sex with anyone.

Perhaps it was the effect of being raped all those years ago that had rooted itself deeply into his mind and made him apprehensive of everything that had to do with sex. Or maybe it was something as simple as teenage insecurity combined with embarrassment caused by inexperience.

It was obvious that Kiba had experience with at least some aspects of the art of making love. If that wasn't the case, the other was very good at pretending. But the mere fact the other boy knew so much about it, talked so freely about it and sometimes even bragged about it made him slightly uncomfortable.

He didn't allow himself to ever show those embarrassed feelings though. He wasn't quite sure why since it was such a natural emotion that people had to deal with on a daily basis. But Shikamaru wasn't nervous all that much on a daily base. The reason for that was actually quite simple. He was too lazy to care about what other people thought of him.

But this situation was different. Because now he actually cared about what Kiba would think.

Why?

Because Kiba would tell Naruto, without a doubt, and if Naruto knew the entire school did. But he could survive the entire school knowing he was currently together with a guy. He didn't, though, want word to go around that he was making Neji Hyuuga – bachelor number one where the girls were concerned – work hard to get into his pants.

He didn't want to do or say anything that could damage his still young relationship with Neji. Certainly not considering the fact his boyfriend knew nothing of his two personalities. Because he was quite certain that if Neji were to ever get angry with him for something he hadn't said or done he'd get too nervous or angry to keep himself from switching. And even though he did want to tell Neji about his other personalities someday, his boyfriend finding out about it like that would do nothing but break them up.

As his thoughts strayed for a few seconds, Shikamaru unconsciously traced his upper-lip with his tongue. He knew Kiba was watching him, awaiting an answer with obvious impatience.

Luckily for him, his mind never took longer than a few seconds to provide him with an answer.

"Would be very troublesome, though. Making Neji work, quite the task if I say so myself." He shrugged, leaning back against the seat he sat in and he watched his rowdy friend.

He wondered how Kiba would react. Knowing Kiba, though, Shikamaru was quite certain that he wasn't off the hook just yet. Because Kiba usually wasn't satisfied with no as an answer.

Not that Shikamaru felt as if he could back out. Kiba knew there was something going on between Neji and him now. So leaving the youth alone to ponder what exactly that relationship was wasn't that bright an idea. Kiba was bound to reach the wrong conclusions after all.

Besides, Neji and he had agreed to tell their friends about their relationship. And even though he wasn't as close to Kiba as he was to Chouji or Ino, the other boy was definitely someone he considered a friend.

Kiba chuckled and he shook his head in what seemed to be amusement. "Right, and troublesome isn't your thing."

Shikamaru couldn't keep a lop-sided grin from his face at that. At least Kiba understood that much. "It's never really been, I'm afraid." He replied, his tone was casual and he shook his head slightly.

"So," Kiba's grin dimmed slightly and he leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees. He looked up at Shikamaru with an almost uncharacteristically serious expression and asked: "What is going on between you two, then?"

Shikamaru bit his lip softly. It was stupid, really. He knew the question would come and by now he even knew that odds were very big that Kiba wouldn't care that he was gay.

But this time, the nerves weren't so bad and after fidgeting for a few seconds he swallowed them away completely.

He wetted his lips and allowed a small smile to be shown. "We're dating," he stated lazily. At the words, at the recognition that he was indeed dating Neji, he felt a slight warmth spread through his body. He hadn't expected he'd be so happy to actually admit he was Neji's boyfriend.

"Dating?" Kiba asked. He leaned back against the back of the chair and his lips curled up into a small, teasing smirk.

"Yes, dating."

Shikamaru jumped in his seat as Neji's low voice reached his ears and a hand was firmly placed atop of his shoulder. He looked up right away with a smile. A small shiver run down his spine when Neji gently squeezed his shoulder, almost in re-assurance.

Neji brushed a few locks of hair behind his ear with his free hand and watched Kiba with a raised eyebrow. "Disappointed, Kiba?"

Kiba raised his eyes, watching Neji with obvious amusement. "Who wouldn't be?" He retorted almost cockily.

Shikamaru couldn't help but chuckle softly at Kiba's comment. He was quite certain if it had been someone else that had snatched Neji from the bachelor life he himself would be disappointed as well. Although the only thing Kiba was probably disappointed about was that now he wouldn't be able to talk Neji into his bed anymore.

When Neji made a soft, amused sound Shikamaru turned to look up at his boyfriend with a raised eyebrow. He wondered what the other was thinking and worried if maybe he'd said or done something wrong.

He didn't worry much in general. But he found that with Neji he couldn't help himself. The reason, he figured, was pretty simple. The fact he'd never been in a relationship before and Neji was extremely popular with both men and women made him doubt himself often.

But with a brain that never once stopped churning he was used to worrying and doubting more than was good for him. With Neji, though, worries were always short-lived. Because the moment his boyfriend's lips quirked up in a small smile all his doubts seemed to disappear.

As they did now.

Although with Kiba sitting right in front of him and watching the two of them like a hawk, having Neji smile at him like that was slightly embarrassing. And when he felt a small blush spread on his cheeks he ducked his head.

Neji's chuckle was low, and to Shikamaru's ears even somewhat sensual. "It seems you agree with him."

Shikamaru snorted and shook his head, amused. "Of course I do," he allowed his tongue to trace his upper-lip and with half-lidded eyes looked up at Neji with a smirk. "I'm dating you, after all."

As Shikamaru spoke footsteps neared and whatever cocky reply Neji was about to make was interrupted by a gasp. Startling slightly, all three turned around to see Naruto gaping at them.

"What!" The blond's blue eyes were slightly widened and he wasn't sure whether to look at Shikamaru or Neji. In the end, he settled his gaze on Shikamaru who wanted to disappear into his chair at the surprise written all over Naruto's face. "You two are dating?"

Shikamaru swallowed, slightly nervous, and leaned his head to the side with a small smile.

Kiba had taken the news pretty well and it wasn't like Naruto was averse to a gay relationship. His attraction to Sasuke was sometimes painfully obvious even though Sasuke seemed completely unaware.

So, knowing that, Shikamaru wasn't really afraid of Naruto's reaction. He was merely nervous about admitting he was dating Neji with his boyfriend standing right next to him.

"We are," Shikamaru nodded and, rather than wait and see Naruto's reaction, turned to look at Neji. Strangely enough, he was more curious about his boyfriend's reaction than Naruto's.

Seeing Neji smile at him and hearing Naruto joke that it was about time they got together Shikamaru realized that it wasn't so bad as he had thought. Not at all.

"Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru resisted the urge to flinch at the loud, high-pitched voice that was sure to even reach the outskirts of his home-town. But he was given no time to answer the loud call and before he had even thought of fleeing he found himself in a tight hug with his childhood friend.

He returned the hug, albeit not as tightly, and allowed a small smile to come to his lips. "Hello Ino." He murmured happily.

Even though he had a good time living in Konoha-village, liked spending time with his new friends and couldn't be happier with a boyfriend such as Neji he still missed his old friends a lot.

Ino and Chouji were the only friends he had that knew about his multiple personalities. That didn't mean he let out everything he felt and didn't try to prevent himself from switching. But being with people who knew was easier, put less pressure on him to keep himself from saying something that might betray his condition.

That, though, didn't mean he could afford to get too comfortable now that Chouji and Ino were here. They were only staying for a month and a half over summer-break and after that he'd be on his own again.

Not truly alone, he still had Neji by his side and had made quite the bunch of new friends. But even though he was most definitely in love, being with Neji while the other didn't know about his other personalities still felt lacking.

"Keep that going and Neji might think you're cheating on him." With a wide grin on his face, Chouji made his way over to his two friends.

With a soft shriek Ino pulled away from Shikamaru and turned to watch at Chouji, placing a hand firmly onto her hip as she shook her head. "The guy would be a fool thinking that."

Shikamaru chuckled and gave his blonde-haired friend a small push in her back a smirk. "Why? Because I'm so obviously out of your league?"

"What!" A surprised, high-pitched sound escaped Ino and she turned around, blue eyes flashing with amusement. "You smug ass! Do you want me to get troublesome on you?"

Shikamaru chuckled and crossed his arms in front of his chest while looking up at Ino. "Yes, I missed you too."

Ino shook her head, a smug look crossing her features and she wagged a finger at her childhood friend. "I never said I didn't miss you, just that you were smug."

"And I wouldn't disagree with her if I were you," Chouji chuckled. He moved to stand besides Shikamaru and patted the other's shoulder with a wide smile. "It's good to see you again."

"Yes," Shikamaru nodded, a small smile on his lips as he looked at Ino first and then at Chouji. "It's really been too long."

Ino sighed softly and she was smiling somewhat sadly. "It has been." She nodded.

"But, we're here now." Chouji reminded his two friends cheerfully.

A soft chuckle passed Shikamaru's lips. Chouji was right. What use was it feeling bad about seeing each other so little now that they were actually together? They could mull over the fact they missed each other after summer again, when they knew it would be until Christmas-break that any of them had the chance of crossing the country again.

"Yes, we are!" Ino clapped her hands and grinned. "It'll be great, we'll have so much fun." She then took a small intake of breath and turned to Shikamaru with a smirk and an excited twinkle in her eyes. "And we can finally meet Neji."

"Yeah," Shikamaru smiled a small smile and nodded. "He wants to meet you too." And it was true. Many times Neji had told him to actually look forward to meeting Ino and Chouji and Shikamaru could relate.

He'd text them often, have long Skype-conversations where both Ino and Chouji were on the line and afterwards he'd tell Neji about the troublesome things they'd all been through. But Neji must've noticed that sometimes he sounded longingly. Because truly, who wouldn't miss their friends?

"Of course he does." Ino huffed.

"Yeah," Chouji agreed with a snicker and a nod. "He's been hearing about us for such a long time yet hasn't seen us once. He must be dying from curiosity."

"Actually," Shikamaru smirked and waved his hand in the air, "he is beginning to think I made you up."

"Aw, your boyfriend thinks you have imaginary friends." Ino cooed with a smirk. Sometimes, it was too easy to tease Shikamaru.

"Tche," Shikamaru pulled up his nose a bit, but still had the hints of a smile playing on his lips. "It's troublesome."

Later, when Ino and Chouji were getting settled in their designated bedrooms Shikamaru had taken his refuge on the living-room couch.

While he couldn't be happier to have his friends over for the summer, he wasn't sure whether he was glad about Ino's excitement at meeting his boyfriend or slightly frightened. He wasn't afraid that Ino would steal Neji away, or even fall for him. And even if she did, he knew she cared too much for him to break them up.

But the thing that did frighten him, now that he allowed himself to think about it, was the fact Ino's mouth ran like a water-fall. It was a never-ending stream of words.

Sometimes it was amusing to hear Ino rant about idle things, gossip about her supposed friends or complain because her size four figure really needed to be a size two. But there were times when he feared the words that would fall from her lips.

Those times were usually when someone besides Chouji and himself was around. Someone that didn't know about his other personalities.

Because while Ino would never blurt out his secret on purpose, when her mouth was running off with her again one was never sure of the things she would accidentally say. And Shikamaru could only imagine the uncomfortable turn any kind of conversation would take when someone suddenly found out there wasn't just one of him, so to speak.

It would be uncomfortable, painful and above all Shikamaru was certain that the other person – no matter who it was – would distance themselves from him. It was what had happened in the past and it would happen now.

People would be confused, ask about what had happened to him and he would either lie or rip open wounds that had barely healed. Both were options he'd rather avoid but something as uncommon as Dissociative Identity Disorder wasn't something you could just brush aside as a slip of the tongue.

"Leaving you alone for too long never leads to good things." Chouji called out softly, leaning against the doorway of the living-room and studying his friend with a serious expression.

Shikamaru's eyes widened the moment his friend's voice roused him from his thoughts. He looked up quickly, feeling somewhat guilty for his gloomy thoughts now that his friends were here. Really, he shouldn't be thinking these things.

"Over-reacting is a skill." He mumbled with a shrug.

Chuckling, Chouji made his way over to the couch and sat down next to Shikamaru. "Is it?"

Turning his head so he could look at Chouji Shikamaru wasn't surprised to see slight worry and compassion shine in his friend's brown eyes. A sigh passed his lips and he shook his head, leaning against the back of the couch. "Troublesome..."

"Might be," Chouji nodded with a small smile, "but something is worrying you."

Shikamaru had to admit he hadn't exactly been subtle in his pondering, choosing the living-room of all places. So having Chouji notice wasn't all that strange. It irked Shikamaru, though, that Chouji always spoke his mind.

It irked him since the questions he was asked forced him to talk about exactly what it was that was worrying him. And this time he was slightly afraid that his so far trivial thoughts would lead him to yet another thing he feared.

"Isn't something troublesome always worrying me?" He retorted easily, leaning back against the couch. He knew that it probably wouldn't throw Chouji off and make his friend forget about the question. But the least he could do was try.

"True," Chouji nodded but only after corssing his arms in front of his chest with a small smirk. "And I usually find a way to get you to answer, so start answering."

Shikamaru sighed and rolled his eyes. "There's not much to tell, really." He shrugged lightly and looked at Chouji. "Just the usual stuff."

"The disorder?" Chouji's voice dropped to a soft murmur and his tone was slightly cautious. It was how he always sounded when talking about the Dissociative Identity Disorder, as if he was treading on dangerous grounds. Which Chouji knew he was, but that never stopped him from confronting Shikamaru.

Shikamaru huffed and shook his head. "Isn't it always?" Perhaps always was exaggerating a bit, but it wasn't often that Shikamaru found himself worrying about something else.

"Usually," Chouji nodded his head. He then sighed softly and brushed a hand through his hair. "You're avoiding the question."
Shikamaru resisted the urge to chuckle at his friend and instead just pursed his lips with an amused expression on his face. "Aren't I always?"

"Not like this," Chouji shook his head and then furrowed his brow almost thoughtfully. He then raised his eyes and carefully inquired: "Is it about Neji?"

Shikamaru, even though he'd seen the question coming, blinked nervously and turned his head away. It was embarrassing to have to admit he worried about his relationship with Neji. "Yes,"

Chouji nodded in understanding. "He doesn't know yet?"

Shikamaru snorted and shook his head. "Of course not." A soft sigh passed his lips. "It'd be too troublesome if he dumped me."

"Dumped you?" Chouji asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes." Shikamaru snorted and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Quite sure he'll do that when he finds out." Because what else was there that Neji could do? Surely, no-one in their right mind would simply agree he was a mental-patient not be affected by it.

Chouji clacked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and shook his head. "You don't know that."

"Troublesome." Shikamaru sighed and allowed his body to slide down against the back of the couch a bit, his body easily falling into a slouching position. "Isn't it what everyone would do?"

Chouji rolled his eyes, only slightly agitated. "You don't know that."

Huffing softly at his friend's words Shikamaru shook his head. "I'm quite certain I do."

Because over the years he'd seen so many look at him in a strange way when he switched and reacted badly, when he walked out of his psychiatrists' office so on. To say his general opinion of the open-mindedness of the average person had plummeted along with those occasions wasn't in the least an exaggeration.

Chouji chuckled and playfully gave Shikamaru's shoulder a push. "Such faith, Shikamaru."

"Just stating facts." Shikamaru smirked, not even trying to push the other away.

It was now Chouji's turn to huff and shake his head almost doubtfully. "Hm, we'll see about that."

Shikamaru's smirk disappeared and he frowned slightly. "What's that mean?"

"Nothing." Chouji shrugged and leaned against the back of the couch with a self-satisfied smirk. "Just that who knows, Neji might surprise you."

TBC.